Autoplan Insurance
Driving outside B.C.
Taking a road trip? Are you a snowbird heading south for the winter? Here's how we can help you to stay protected on the road.
You're covered in Canada and the U.S. on vacation
Your Autoplan insurance covers you anywhere in Canada and the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. But it’s important to check with the place you’re visiting to make sure you’re complying with its registration requirements. You’ll need to change your insurance policy if that jurisdiction requires you to register or licence your vehicle there, even if you’re on vacation.
Coverage under Enhanced Care
All B.C. residents are covered under Enhanced Accident Benefits, even for injuries resulting from a crash outside B.C.
You may want to consider Extended Third Party Liability coverage when driving outside the province. Should you be responsible for a crash, Extended Third Party Liability will cover you for the other driver’s vehicle repair costs that exceed the limit of your Basic Third Party Liability coverage. It also protects you in jurisdictions where the law permits the other driver to sue.
Talk to your broker about how much Third Party Liability coverage is right for you.
When to call your Autoplan broker
If you're mixing travel with business, you may need to change your coverage. Also, if your vehicle is outside of B.C. and it won't be operated in B.C. at any point during your insurance policy period, then you will need to register, licence and insure your vehicle where you're living or visiting.
Check with your Autoplan broker for details on your specific situation.
Check the expiry date
Make sure to check the expiry date on your insurance and driver's licence before you leave.
If the insurance expires and you're involved in a crash while you're out of B.C., you won't be covered. You can renew your insurance up to 44 days before your Autoplan policy expires.
Renew your insurance
If you're outside B.C., you may be able to renew your insurance by calling 1-800-328-4484, Monday to Friday, between 8:15 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
You can also renew your driver's licence up to six months (180 days) before it expires at any driver licensing office. It's illegal to drive with an expired licence so don't leave it to the last minute.
Renew your driver's licence
If you're outside B.C. when your driver's licence expires, contact us at:
1-800-950-1498 (B.C., Canada and the U.S.)
250-978-8300 (Other countries)
Many people choose to increase their Third Party Liability coverage if they're travelling outside of B.C.
The RoadStar and Roadside Plus packages also include great coverages for extra protection while you're travelling, including rental vehicle protection. There's also the option of puchasing just rental vehicle coverage.
Your Autoplan insurance doesn't cover you outside of Canada and the U.S. If you're driving to Mexico or beyond, talk to your ICBC Autoplan broker about your options for coverage.
If you're outside of Canada and the U.S. for more than 30 continuous days, you may be able to get a refund of the Autoplan premium you paid while you were away.
To apply for a refund, you'll need to provide:
Proof of the dates your vehicle entered and exited the other country. You can use an importation document, for example a Mexican Banjercito receipt, gasoline receipts, camping receipts or hotel receipts that show your vehicle's VIN, registration number or plate number, and
Proof that your vehicle was continuously outside Canada or the U.S. for 30 days or more. You can use a photocopy of a foreign insurance policy, or the receipts listed above.
Your refund will be calculated using the entry and exit dates shown in the documentation you provide.
For travel in Mexico, you can use our Mexican travel refund request checklist 
to ensure you have the right documentation.
Submit your request
Email your refund request and supporting documents to [email protected] with the subject line "Mexican travel refund request".
Alternatively, you can mail your request and documents to
Customer Service
151 West Esplanade
North Vancouver, BC V7M 3H9
If you have more questions, please contact us. We accept collect calls.
